Within the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, one main concern was the protection permitting third down conversions. Dallas transformed 9 of 15 third downs for a 60 % price. For context, the NFL common to this point is 37.9, so it was an especially poor evening for Pittsburgh’s protection, which is now permitting 38.7 % on the season.
As we speak, I wished to look at this additional, diving deep into the stats to see what I might glean. Sport halves gave the impression to be regular on the floor, however Week 5 in comparison with the opposite 4 video games informed a unique story.
First, here’s a visible of third down conversions allowed in all 5 video games by half:
Right here, we see Pittsburgh has been higher in first halves, with a 39.3 HOTD price that ranks 18th, touchdown barely above the imply. Second halves drop under the road, to 38.2 %, rating twenty first. Neither are acceptable for the excessive customary of the unit, the gas of the group’s success, or lack thereof.
I additionally wished to see how final sport effected the season common, so listed here are Weeks 1 by 4:
As we are able to see, issues had been above common previous to the loss final week. A 40.9 conversion price within the first half was the lesser consequence, rating barely above common at fifteenth. That might certainly stand to enhance, in comparison with an amazing 24.0 second half third down conversion price that tied for eighth-best.
So, the Steelers protection was tightening up in second halves through the first 4 video games of 2024, which is after all an amazing high quality in hopes of victory.
Then final week occurred, falling off a cliff within the second half. Here’s a desk of the information I dove into for context, coloring every conversion price individually to see how Pittsburgh stacked up:
Right here, we get painful context to the poor 60 % whole conversion price Pittsburgh allowed in Week 5. The Steelers had been abysmal within the second half, permitting an excruciatingly excessive 77.8 quantity, which was second-worst within the NFL in Week 5.
Coloring every particular person quantity additionally reveals that whereas Weeks 1 by 4 had been a lot better, Pittsburgh has been middling in comparison with different outcomes throughout the board. For instance, the Cleveland Browns had been stifling throughout Weeks 1 by 4 within the second half, permitting only a 9.5 third downs to be transformed price. Wow.
The stark distinction within the Steelers’ second half conversion price allowed in Week 5, going from 24.0 (T-eighth) to 77.8 (T-second worst) was inexcusable to say the least, permitting Dallas to march down the sphere with ease. It wasn’t a low pattern both, permitting 7 of 9 conversions within the second half, which every tied for the very best totals of the week. Ouch.
Contemplating what has occurred in 2024, this looks like an outlier efficiency, optimistically. One factor’s for positive: It should enhance for the Steelers to get again within the winner’s circle. Right here’s to hoping that’s the case in opposition to the Raiders on Sunday, and shifting ahead.
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